The Bachelor Canada blog: Brad Smith on Episode Five

It may only be Episode Five, but it’s already down to the final four for bachelor Brad Smith, which can only mean one thing: home visits. Starting off with Bianka’s Mississauga, Ontario homestead, Smith broke bread, charmed relatives and held babies at the parental homes of his perspective suitors getting familiar with the bachelorettes’ lives outside the Victoria, BC mansion. In this week’s Bachelor Canada blog, Smith discusses his past parental experiences, Bianka’s past relationships and how Whitney’s “intensity” spoke louder than her words.

You seem to be a natural with parents. What was your previous experience with meeting the families of your lady friends like and how did these compare?

I come from a really close family, and I take meeting someone’s family – especially a prospective girlfriend’s – really seriously. In the past, and even in this experience, I would never feel comfortable meeting someone’s parents if I didn’t feel confident that there was a strong connection between us. It was the same situation here, only this time, there were cameras!

How different were the ladies’ parents and families from what you expected?

I truly believe that a family contributes to who you become as a person, and since I had such amazing girls with me, I knew their families had to be just as special. To be very honest, what really struck me on all the hometown dates was how welcoming everyone was and how comfortable they made me feel. All the girls had different backgrounds, but every family made me feel included, and that meant a lot.

Bianka once again mentioned her past relationship with Kris Humphries. Did you get the feeling she still isn’t over that?

I knew Bianka had been hurt in the past, and that she was treated in a way that she didn’t deserve. But I also knew she was there for the right reasons and ready to move forward just by seeing how seriously she took the process. She called me out on things and asked hard questions when she needed to, and she has very strong opinions about what she’s looking for in a partner. That made her more attractive to me.

You seemed most at home with Kara’s family. Conversely, the dinner with Whitney’s parents seemed incredibly uncomfortable. Were both as they appeared to be and how important was either in your ultimate decision?

What you saw in the episode was very true to my experience. Kara’s family was amazing, but so were the other girls’ families. One of the things that really stood out on Whit’s hometown date was that her family was so expressive, and yet she couldn’t verbalize her feelings. Of course what happened on the hometown dates factored into my decisions at the rose ceremony, but I also had to think of the end point in this process and decide who I could see with me in the future.

After she went out of her way to get alone time with you, why do you feel Whitney is having trouble being honest with you about her emotions?

I understand that some people are slower to open up than others, and in Whit’s case, her intensity came across in her actions more than her words. Once she was able to reassure me that she could open up and reach that point in our relationship, I knew I needed more time with her.

What was it about Gabrielle that made you send her home this episode?

Gabby is an amazing girl who really came a long way in a very short time. She was always straight-forward and honest with me, but she also has a soft side. And while I had a great time with her, in the end, I felt I had a stronger connection with the other three girls. It was hard to see her go home, but I know I made the right decision.